It’s 50 years since Apollo 11’s mission and human’s first stepping on its surface! “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!”
Wakefield’s former Market Hall will be transformed to Festival of the Moon for two weeks with FREE music, dance, theatre, art workshops, wellbeing, kids’ activities for the school holidays and much, much more!! It all starts on Friday 23rd August 2019 with a free launch party and runs until Sunday 8th September 2019.
The festival’s centre-piece is a stunning artwork Museum of the Moon by artist Luke Jerram. Suspended from the ceiling, a seven metre diameter replica of the moon beams to create an otherworldly mix of moonlight, NASA footage and music from BAFTA winning musician Dan Jones. Museum of the Moon has orbited earth, being seen from Glastonbury to Australia and experienced by thousands of people worldwide. A once in a lifetime opportunity to come face-to-face with the moon and grab an out of this world selfie!
On Friday 23rd August, the festival will be launched in Wakefield City Centre with spaced themed events and activities! There will be performances from the Urban Astronaut between 2:30pm and 4pm and then family friendly spacey / electronic music will be played between 4:30pm-6:30pm before the doors open to Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon.
Monday 26th August (10am – 4pm), join The Clangers for a Moon Picnic!
The Clangers will be performing live (10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30 & 14:30) and there will be an amazing inflatable planetarium where you’ll be able to see the stars!
Children will be able to attend ‘We’re Going on a Moon Hunt’ that is a multi-sensory workshop exploring moon themed stories with music, singing and drama, get creative with Drawing Space and join in with painting Space Rocks! All of these activities are FREE!
Tuesday 27th August (1pm – 4pm) Lunar Express
Lunar Express from Story Trails takes children aged 3-7 years old on a lunar adventure.
Little astronauts and their accompanying grown-up mission commanders are invited on a journey around the moon, marvelling at the wondrous moon views while floating in space, discovering all the new and marvellous things to be seen along the way, all from the comfort of a beautiful old rocket-train.
Sessions at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Thursday 29th August (1pm – 4pm) Lunar Express
Lunar Express from Story Trails takes children aged 3-7 years old on a lunar adventure.
Little astronauts and their accompanying grown-up mission commanders are invited on a journey around the moon, marvelling at the wondrous moon views while floating in space, discovering all the new and marvellous things to be seen along the way, all from the comfort of a beautiful old rocket-train.
Sessions at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm
Saturday 31st August (10am – 1pm) A Talk by Helen Sharman for Children
One of the few humans to have seen earth from space, Helen Sharman visits to recount her time on the Mir Space Station in 1991 when she was just 27 years old, spending eight days orbiting the planet.
Both Britain and Yorkshire’s first ever astronaut, the Sheffield-born and raised chemist blasted off in a Soviet Soyuz-U2 rocket 28 years ago and finally lands in Wakefield with an inspirational talk for children (10 – 18 years old).
Free but booking essential (tickets strictly limited to 4 per person). Suitable only for children over 10 years old – ticket link here
Sunday 1st September (10am – 8pm) Star Wars Sunday
Star Wars day will be a celebration of all things from a galaxy far, far away…
Are you the spitting image of Han Solo or a dead ringer for Rey? Show the world by coming in cosplay as your favourite character!
Plus, little Ewoks (and their Wookiees!) will have great fun at the Lego building workstations from Brick Box Yorkshire.
And watch out for our surprise special guests!
So hop on your speeder bike, get down to the market hall and get ready for a day of excitement and adventure.
…and may the Force be with you!
Wakefield Market Hall, Union Street, Wakefield, WF1 3AG
There are other events taking place for Festival of the Moon that are aimed at adults. Please see link here
